Method of and apparatus for atomizing fuel oil



. Dec. 23, 1930.

H. ADAMS 1,785,805

METHOD OF AND APPARATUSFOR ATOMIZING. FUEL OIL Filed Jan. 23, 1928 INVENTOR F6207 ddamfi,

. ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY ADAMS, OI rnammnn, m

.KETHOD AND APPARATUS IOB ATOIIZING FUEL Application mica January '23, ms. semi Io. man. I

This invention relates to atomizing methods and devices and more particularly to a and as it is released therefrom assumes a cone. shape and centrifugal force then serves to break it up or atomize it into a fine s ray.

The greater the centrifugal force ro needthe greater is the cone or angleof ispersion andjthe finer the atomization. As soon as the whirling cone of oil breaks up or atomizes, all rotation or whirling action practically ceases and the atomized oil is then -in mechanically atomized state ready-for its 2 proper mixture with air for combustion. In my improved process the atomized oil as itleaves the orifice and which is moving forward but not whirling or rotating, is again caused to whirl'when it oncemore assumes 0 the cone shape. his then further atomized 1 by centrifugal force and on completionof the second mechanical atomization, the finely atomizedoil is met by and combined with a I stream of air' or steam. and thereby atomized again-for the third time. This plurality of atomizations insures thatthe oil is broken up into as fine a degree of. combustible mixture as, possible and can homogeneously be mixed with air in order to obtain the final combustible mixture. The present low pressure burners operating from 8 ounces to 2 pounds air pressure are all limited in heating capacity. The greatest capacity of the largest low pressure air burner bn the market today is about 30 gallons of fuel per hour and requires about five horse power to furnish the air at two pounds pressure in order to atomize it. In my new process and ap aratus, on account of-the-plurality of simuitaneous mechanical atomizations, I am able to operate the burner using less than one horse power to. furnish the air foratomization for 30 gallons of fuel consumptionjper hour capacity,

thereby increasing heating capacity with greater economy of power consumption in accomplishing the desired ends.

' Mechanical burners are being more and more recognized for their many advantages, but on account of their disadvantages which are principally first, high cost, the using of oil under high pressure and the special auxiliary machinery necessary for this 5 (compared with steam or air atomizing burners) the field of mechanical burner has been more or less limited, users of oil burning equipment preferring the less costly and more the simple steam or air atomizing type, being willing 'to use a greater amount of power to atomize the oil rather than the complicated and expensive and delicate mechanical type. By the use of my process'and apparatus all the advantages of mechanical urners are obtained. and the disadvantages do not exist as the oil is under ordinary press sure.

Further, it requires no special, auxiliary machinery and takes less power than any of the resent mechanical or steam or air atomizing urners. The apparatus and method that go I have invented may be used for the reduc-j ti-on of ores, such as copper and the like, although it is not so limited, and it may further be utilized for any other typeof metal reduction. Another use is for heating purposes'in large or small hot water and steam boilers. Accordingly, 'oneof the main objects of my present invention is to cause a plurality of mechanical atomizations of fuel oil and cause the final mechanical atomizal0 tion to be reatomized either bylow pressure air, high pressure air or steam.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a simple and lnexpensive apparatus whereby a plurality of mechanical tion to the annular torch type of nozzles heretofore utilized.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a burner only two cooperating parts, one directed to the utilization of air or steam as a means for atomizing the oil fuel into a combustion flame, and the other coactin'g member operating as an oil jet block having aplurality of oil jet feeding means thereln.

Another object of this invention is to pro-' vide means whereby adjustment between the air base portion and the jet nozzle block is obtained to increase or decrease the amount of oil fuelsupply in proportion to a fixed and predetermined amount of air or steam supply for atomizing purposes.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for lockably adjusting the two main portions of my device in adjustable relative positions for operation, and to further provide means whereby atomization of the oil is accentuated by the cooperatlng action of the emitted air or. steam jet and the coopcrating air base nozzle therefor.

Another object of this process and apparatus is to be able to increase the size of the burner with but Very little expense and to be able to handle oil of any viscosity as well as to be able to handle highly heated oil without having the burner pufl intermittently.

Still another object of this invention is to pro ide a simple andinexpensive device in order to carry out this new process of atomizing the oil instead of the present complicated and expensive types of mechanical burners now on the market.

Still other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds; and while herein details of the invention are described and claimed, the invention is not limited to these.

An embodiment of the invention generally described above is shown in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a plan View of my device.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33, Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrowl Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line comprising a holder or base portion 1, the

same being provided with a boss 2 thereon.

Into the boss is suitably tapped a pressure fluid admitting pipe 3. The pressure fluid may be steam or compressed air. The said base block 1 is further provided with a bridge 4 which is provided at its top with a boss 6 into which is mounted a locking stud 7 together with a lock nut 8 thereon, the purpose of which will be later described.

Said bridge 4 is further provided with a pair of preferably integral gibs 9 9, running transversely thereof. The interior ofthe bridge surfaces 10 including the gibs 9,

are all machined. The lower surface 11 of the said block is also machined for the purpose of slidably and guidably receiving thereagainst an oil jet block which will now be described.

The oil jet block is a substantially rectan-. gular metallic block, preferably in the form of a casting and is generally denoted by 12 in the drawings herein. It is provided atits rear with a fuel admission pipe 13 which'is threadedly mounted into a suitable bore 14 therefor at the rear of said block 12. A port 15 connects the said pipe with a larger internally provided bore 16 which acts as a fuel oil chamber. From this last noted chamber a plurality of oil jet ports 17 are arranged on the under side thereof, so that they cooperate with the finished surfaces 11 of the base block 1. They act as oil emitting jets for causing the oil to take a relatively downward movement, as indicated by the arrows 18, Fig. 3.

In manufacture, this last noted jet block 12 is machined all over so as to provide finsteam and air duct 3 there is developed a wide, shallow trough-like air or steam chamber .20, Figs. 2 and 3. Leading from this chamber 20, as is more fully shown'inFig. 4, there is a series of indented longitudinal air or steam channels 21, these being provided by a plurality of bridges 22 therebetween, thereby forming isolated separate passages leading from said air port to an elongated curvichamber 23. This latter chamber is formed by being c ut into the said block leaving a ,linear indented fuel receiving atomizing a5- 'it can bore the block 12 rearwardly against sha forward edge 24 at the .front thereof. It w1ll further be noted that the outer end terminations-of this chamber 23 extend only within a short distance .of the edge of the two outer or steam ports 21 whereb the edges of these. ports are wiped clean by t e passing high velocity air or steam, thereby preventin%- drip of fuel during operation.

rom the fore oing construction, it will therefore be note that steam or air emitted into pipe 3 passes u wardly into' chamber 22, then spreads out and passes out at high velocity to atmosphere through ports 21. In the assembled construction shown in Fig. 3, in section, wherein there is shown the jet block 12 inassembled relative operative position with the base block 1, it will be noted that the jets 17 are directed downwardl into fuel. receiving atomizing chamber 23.

s the fuel is'introduced under ressure the fuel passes downwardly along t e surfaces and spreads out upon the wall of thisjet where it is picked up by the stream of steam or air, as it passes out, in the direction of the arrow 25, and due to the sharp edge .24, all liquid fuel emitted at this point is whipped out and dissipated in a finely atomizing floating fuel which when lighted forms a flame of clean combustion having a fan-shape form, as indicated by A, Fig. 1, shown in dotted lines.

For the purpose of ad usting the amount of fuel that passes through jet hole 17, it becomes desirable to adjust the block 12 to and fro, so that more or lessof the area of the elongated jets'17 may cooperate with the rear edge 26 of the'oil port 23, this being fully shown in Fig. 2, so that either the full area of these jets-17 may be utilized or only a minor part thereof, and this adjustment is accomplished as follows:

The top screw 7 is released and the block 12 may be moved backwardly or forwardly to open or close the jets 17- to any desired opening, and in order to accomplish this adjustment, the rear end of the ase 1, Fig. 1,is

provided with two upstanding flanges 27 and 28.' Flange27 is provided with a set screw 29 which presses against the rear wall of the block 12 whereby to'push the block .inwardl any desired distance. and the other upstami: ing flange 28 is provided with a shoulder screw 30 which is tappedinto the rear end of the block 12, but is-freely fitted within a bore 31, bored in said upstanding flange 28, so that when this shoulder screw 30 is manipulated the set. 'osition of the screw 29, both the screws 29 an 301-acting in the form of so-called push-pull screw locking adjustment.

It will thereforebe noted I haveprovided this block 12 for adjusting purposes with a pair of screws to push-pull the block 12 in any suitable adjusted position and also a lock screw 7 to lock said block in the desired operative position relative to the. base 1 when adjustment is satisfactory. The space he'- tween the flan es 27 and 28 is utilized as a clearance -for,t e oilfuel pi 13 so that adjustments as made permit t is pipe to move forwardly or rearwardly with the jet block n movement.

In Fig. 2, it will be noted that the jets 17 are located in such a manner that their points of emission are shielded b the bridges 22 so that they are not subjecte to the direct blast of emitted steam or air from port 21, there-.

by permitting the oil fuel as it emits from these ports. 17 to travel downwardly over the surfaces of the duct 23 and to there spread out and meet'the out-coming air or steam cut backwardly in such a manner as to permit air or steam from the ipe 3 to pass outwardly and join and commingle with the issuing atomized fuel stream from the upper nozzle.

Other objects of this stream of air or steam are to keep the outsideof the curved lip 24 from carbonizing, and also to furnish auxiliary. air (when air is used) for combustion purposes. I j

The operation of the atomizer or burner is as follows:

.Oil is supplied through duct 15 under pressure of .from 2 pounds up, preferably the constant pressure would be between 50 and pounds. This oil passes into reservoir 16 and is forced down through port 17. It then passes in front of bridge 22, then down and around and out of curved port 24 where the oil is struck by the air or steam which passes out through channels 21.

The oil thus leaving reservoir 16 is wire upon striking the curved-surface 24 in an atomized or divided state is given a whirling motion-by passing from one side of and up the other side of the curved surface 24, so that when leaving the tip of the curved surface 24 the finely dividedatomized oil is in the shape of small rapidly revolving whirls which are broken up by centrifugal action.

The moment that these whirls leave the end of the curved tip 24 they are atomized by the laterally directed air or steam passing thru channels 21, and then struck by the stream of air or'steam coming through slot 32 and there comingled and re-atomized.- As a final .result, a triple atomization is secured which insures'the finest possible spray which can now be readily homogeneously'mixed with 'air for combustion.

It is obvious that by'heating the oil to a high degree better atomization will be obtained and a saving in oil made. Itis also obvious that if the 'oil is heated to a point between flash point and fire point that there will be no Sputtering or pufling when the oil leaves the burners, as the reservoir being larger than the inlet pipe 15, the oil and gas would be thoroughly mixed and then passed through port 17 under a constant pressure.

It will thus be noted that I have provided a burner which has a wide, non-annular stream emitting jet nozzle, together with means, rearwardly and below said nozzle, for atomizing and admixing added air or steam for aid in combustion. I have also further provided a plurality of ets to a single burner slot shielded from direct action of the atomizing air or steam. And that adjustments are provided whereby all of the jets may be adjusted, so as to cut more or less of their area into and out of operation, thereby to increase or decrease the amount of liquid fuel supplied thereto, and enabling the use of oils of diflerent viscosities by merely adjusting plate 4 so that the opening 17 is larger for heavier oils.

It should be understood that many and various changes may be made without departing from scope of the invention as claimed in the broader claims herein appended.

WVhat I claim is:

1. An oil atomizer comprising in combination, an oil jet block having an oil supply chamber and a plurality of ports adapted to emit oil from said chamber in an atomized state, a pressure fluid block associated with said oil block having a pressure fluid supply chamber therein, a trough like chamber associated with said pressure fluid chamber, a plurality of bridges associated with said pressure fluid block cooperating with said oil block to form a plurality of independent pressure fluid channels, an elongated indented oil receiving chamber associated with said channels adapted to receive the oil emitted from said oil jets and deflect said oil into the path of pressure fluid streams flowing through said pressure channels whereby a fan-like stream of secondarily atomized oil is obtained, and adjusting means associated with said air block and cooperating with said oilj block to vary the quantity of oil supplied to said elongated chamber. 7

2. An oil atomizer as in claim 1 including an elongated slot disposed adjacent said elongated oil receiving chamber and. adapted to receive pressure fluid from said troughlike pressure fluid chamber and emitting said pressure fluid in an expanding tan-like stream, whereby said secondarily atomized oil stream is subjected to a third and complete atomization when it comes in contact with said fan-like pressure fluid stream.

*3. An apparatus comprising in combination, a member having anroil supply chamber and a plurality ofports, a second member associated with said oil member having a pressure fluid supply chamber therein, a plurality of bridges on said pressure fluid member cooperating with said 011 member to form a plurality of independent pressure fluid channels, an elongated oil-receiving surefluid from said pressure fluid cham-. .ber and em-lttin said pressure flllld in an expanding fan-lilie stream, whereby said atomized oil stream is subjected to'a complete atomization when it comes in contact with said fan-like pressure fluid stream.

5. An atomizer comprising in combination,

a member having an oil supply chamber and a plurality of ports, a second member associated with said first member having a pressure fluid supply chamber therein, means associated with said second member cooperating with said oil block to form a plurality of pressure fluid channels, means on said second member adapted to receive oil emitted from said ports and deflect said oil into the path of pressure fluid streams flowing through said pressure channels whereby a fan-like stream of atomized oil is obtained, additional means in said second member adjacent said oil-receiving means adapted to receive pres-sure fluid from said pressure fluid chamber and emit said pressure fluid in an expanding fan-like stream, whereby said at- .omized oil stream is subjected to a complete atomization when it comes incontact with 4 said fan-like pressure fluid stream.

6. An oil atomizer comprising in combinaply chamber therein, a plurality of bridges.

associated with'said pressure fluid block cooperating with said oil block to form a plurality of independent pressure fluid channels, an elongated indented oil receiving chamber associatedwith said channels adapt- 4 ed to receive the oil emitted from said oil ets and deflect said oil into the" path of pressure fluid streams flowing through said pressure channelswhereby a fan-like stream of completely atomized oil is obtained.

7. An oil atomizer comprising in combination, an oil jet block having an oil supply chamber and a plurality of ports adapted to emit oil from said chamber in an atomized state, a pressure fluid block associated with sald 011 block having a pressure fluid supply 1,7se,sos

chamber therein, a plu'ralityof pressure fluid channels provided in said pressure fluid block an oil-receiving chamber associated with sea channels adapted to receive oil emitted from to a third and complete atomization when it comes in contact with said fan-like pressure fluid stream.

8. A process comprising, pro'ecting in a commondirection high pressure uid streams 0 substantially limited to, and laterally extending in, a common plane slightl expanding the fluid; forming jets of fue atomizin the fuel of the jets and directin it into sai pressure fluid along a line in sai lane trans- 5 verse to the path of the fluid; an compressing the fluid along said line. 9. A burner comprising, means for projecting in a common direction high pressure fluid streams substantially limited to, and laterally extended in, a wide plane ;nozzles having outlets in said plane for injecting fuel throu h and transverse to said plane along a line su stantially transverse to the path of the fluid; fmeans for further atomizing the fuel after 5 it has passed through said plane and direct- .ing it backinto said plane; and means for adjusting the size of said outlets.

10. An apparatus comprising, means for projecting in a common direction hi h pressure fluid stream substantially limited to,

and laterally extending in, a p ane; jet noz- 'zle means at said plane for directin 'ets of fuel; means for atomizing the fuel 0 t e jets and directing it into. said pressure fluid alon a line in said plane transverse to the path 0 the fluid; compression means for compressinlg the fuel along said line; and means for justing the outlet of the compression means.

11. An apparatus compr sing, means for surefluid substantially limited to, and laterally extendin in, a plane; jet nozzle means at said plane or directin jets of fuel; means for atomizing the fuel 0 the jets and directing itinto said pressure fluid'along a line in said plane transverse to the path of the. fluid;

compression means for compressing the fluid;

substantially limited. to, anddaflerally extending in, a common plane; formi g jets of fuel;

atomizing the fuel of the jets and directing it projecting in a common direction high pres-- into said pressure fluid along a line in said plane transverse to the path of the fluid; and disrupting and further atomizingthe fuel just before it reaches said plane. I 13. A process comprising, projecting in a common direction a plurality of streams of re'ssure fluid lying in a common plane; inecti-ng fuel between said streams and throu h and transverse to. said plane substantia y along a line transverse to the plane path of the fluid; and then directing the fuel back into said pressure fluid. j

14. A process comprising, projecting in a common direction and ane a. plurality of streams of pressure fluid whereby low pressure spaces are formed adjacent to the streams; injecting fuel between said streams and through and transverse to said plane alon a line transverse to the plane path of the uid; and atomizin the fuel in said low pressure spaces and dlrecting-it into said pressure fluid. 15.-A process comprising, projecting'in a common direction'a plurality of thin streams of high pressure'fluid ina common lane; directing jets of fuel between sai streams transverse to said plane; atomizing the fuel of the jets and directing it back into said pressure fluid along a line in said plane transverse to the path of the fluid; and compress-- ing the fuel along said line.

It}. An apparatus comprising, means for projecting and slightly expandmg in a common direction a plurality of spaced high pressure fluid streams substantially disposed 1n a common plane; jet nozzle means at said plane for directing jets of fuel; means for atomizing the fuel of the jets and directing it into said pressure fluid alon a line in said plane transverse to the pat of the fluid; compression means for compressing the fluid along'said line; and means for adjusting the outlet of the compression means and the ndzzles at, said plane. j

17. A process comprising, projecting ina common direction a plurality of thin streams of pressure fluid lying flatwise in a common plane; injec'tingfuel between said streams and through and transverse to said plane; and directing the fuel back into said pressure fluid. I v

18. A process comprising, projecting in a commorydirection a plurality of thin streams of high pressure fluid disposed flatwise in a common plane; directing jets of fuel between said streams transverse to the plane; atomiz' ing the fuel of the-jets and directing it back into said ressure fluid at an angle of about 45 and a ong a line in said plane transverse to the path of the fluid; and compressing the fuel along said line. Y

19. A process-comprising, projecting in a common direction high pressure fluid streams substantially limitedto, and laterally extending in, a plane; directing fuel into said pres- I sure fluid thereby to atomize the fuel; and

ing in a thin plane; atomizing and inject- V elongated fuel-receiving trough-like atomi'zing-fuel through and transverse to said plane along a line transverse to the plane path of the fuel; further atomizing the fuel after it has passed through said plane and directing it back into said pressure fluid; and directing a wide thin stiff sheet of fluid under said plane. substantially in said direction. I

21. In combination, a base block having an ing chamber along the front edge of its up per face; said face having shallow, spaced pressure fluid channels parallel to said face and extending laterally into the atomizing chamber; a jet block engaging said face between said channels and intermediately closing said channels, and cooperating with the channels to form intermediately laterally closed separated fluid passages; saidjet block having downwardly directed oil et ports over the atomizing chamber.

22. In combination, a base block having an plane of said face; said face having shallow, spaced pressure-fluid channels extending laterally into the atomizing chamber; and a jet block intermediately closing said channels, and having downwardly directed oil jet ports over the inner edge of the atomizing cham ber between saidchannel; said jet block being adjustabletoward said outer edge, to adjust the size of said ports and the space between the jet block and said outer edge.

Signed at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, this 21st day of January, A. D. 1928.

HENRY ADAMS.

elongated fuel-receiving atomizing chamber along the front'edge of its upper face; said face having pressure fluidicliannels extending laterally into the atomizing chamber; and a jet block intermediately closing said channels, and having downwardly directed oil jet ports over the inner edge of the atomizing chamber; said jet block being adjustable toward said front edge, to adjust the size of said ports.

23. A burner provided with an elongated fuel-receiving trough-like atomizing chamber having a transversely concaved bottom and a free outer edge; spaced parallel pressure fluid channels extending laterally into the inner edge of the atomizing chamber in a plane just above said outer edge; and downwardly directed oil jet ports over the inner edge of the atomizing chamber.

24. A burner provided with an elongated fuel-receiving trough-like atomizing chamber having an exposed outer edge; spaced parallel pressure fluid channels extending laterally into the inner edge of the atomizing chamber between and at the BIN-135401: the

chamber; and downwardly directed'oil jet 

